Hearing of the Health Subcommittee of the House Energy and Commerce Committee - Opening Statement of Rep. Matsui, Hearing on Combating the Opioids Crisis: Helping Communities Balance Enforcement and Patient Safety

Hearing

Thank you for yielding. Mr. Chairman, as we continue this discussion, I hope we can work together in a bipartisan manner to effectively confront issues of access and affordability for addiction treatment.

I'm encouraged by the steps being taken today, but want to emphasize that this is just the beginning of what must be an iterative and comprehensive approach to combatting the opioid crisis.

We can all acknowledge that... while Controlled Substances should be carefully regulated, they also play a vital role in effective addiction treatment.

Accessing treatment continues to be a major hurdle in many communities. Today we're examining a discussion draft that I am working on with my colleague on the Committee, Rep. GREGG HARPER, that looks at ways we can use telehealth to increase access to substance use treatment.

We are also examining a bill authored by my colleague, Rep. BRAD SCHNEIDER that would
require providers that prescribe opioids for pain to undergo training on pain management.

These are targeted strategies among many that we must consider. It will also be imperative that
we support Medicaid funding... and the ACA…both of which have already played a crucial role in reducing the treatment gap. I look forward to continued discussions here.

This conversation must be paired with significant resources to help patients and families who are suffering.
Thank you, I yield back.

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